Ferrari has expressed ‘deep regret’ over a publicity stunt that damaged a 600-year-old Ming Dynasty wall in Nanjing, China.

The stunt has provoked anger across China (Picture: YouTube)

A Ferrari 458 Italia left thick black tyre marks on parts of the ancient walls, which cleaners have been unable to remove.

A video of the stunt showing the supercar performing high-speed 360-degree turns has provoked anger in China, especially amid rumours local officials were paid 80,000 yuan (£7,830) to allow the filming to take place.

Ferrari described the incident as an ‘accident’, which it dubbed ‘unacceptable’ – blaming an affiliated local car dealership.

The Ferrari 458 Italia was winched on to the wall with a crane (Picture: YouTube)

The luxury carmaker said it ‘always held great respect toward Chinese traditional culture and regards the protection of historical relics as of great importance’.

Officials said tourism bureau workers had been reprimanded over the incident, while the Nanjing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage said use of the site had not been approved by archaeological authorities.

Chinese citizens took to social-networking sites such as Weibo to condemn the ‘shameful’ event.